dismiss

dismissdis‧miss /dɪsˈmɪs/ ●●○W3 verb [transitive]1IDEAREJECT/NOT ACCEPTto refuse to consider someone’s idea, opinion etc, because you think it is not serious, true, or importantThe government has dismissed criticisms that the country’s health policy is a mess.dismiss something as somethingHe just laughed and dismissed my proposal as unrealistic.It’s an idea that shouldn’t be dismissed out of hand (=dismissed immediately and completely).2JOBBEto remove someone from their job syn fire, sackdismiss somebody from somethingBryant was unfairly dismissed from his post.dismiss somebody for somethingEmployees can be dismissed for sending obscene emails.RegisterIn everyday British English, people usually say sack someone, and in everyday American English, people usually say fire someone, rather than use dismiss:He was sacked (British English)/fired (American English) for being late all the time.3SEND AWAYLEAVE A PLACE formal to tell someone that they are allowed to go, or are no longer neededThe class was dismissed early today.4IN A COURTSCLif a judgedismisses a court case, he or she stops it from continuingThe case was dismissed owing to lack of evidence.5SPORTDSCto end the innings of a player or team in the game of cricketCOLLOCATIONSnounsdismiss an idea/suggestionBoth actors dismissed any idea of a romantic relationship between them.dismiss a notion formal (=idea)The Minister dismissed the notion that he had cut petrol tax because of the forthcoming by-election.dismiss a possibilityThe prime minister dismissed the possibility of an early election.dismiss a claimAn industrial tribunal dismissed his claim of unfair discrimination.dismiss an allegation/chargeShe claimed that she was honest and dismissed the allegations against her.dismiss a thoughtWas he lying? I tried to dismiss the thought.dismiss fearsThe Transport Minister dismissed fears that the Cotswold railway line would close.dismiss criticismHe dismissed criticism of the country's human rights record.adverbseasily/lightly (=without much thought)This is a question that cannot be dismissed lightly.phrasesdismiss something out of hand (=immediately, without thinking about it)It's an interesting idea so don't dismiss it out of hand.→ See Verb table